Bottle tote apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bottle tote is provided. The tote has a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the top terminal edge defining a strap, the front and rear panels defining an opening therebetween; a connector disposed on said strap for attaching said strap to said front panel, the strap securing said bottle in said tote, and a grip disposed on said rear panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Priority Claim

This application claims priority from U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/244,170filed Dec. 6, 2005, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tote for a bottle or bottles. More particularly, the present invention relates to tote for a bottle or bottles that securely attaches to a belt or bag during vigorous activity and securely maintains a bottle or bottles therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Portable bottle carriers exist for carrying a beverage during exercise or other on the go activity. However, conventional bottle carriers do not have means for securing a bottle within the carrier during vigorous activity. A common difficulty with these carriers is that a bottle can easily jar loose during performance of an activity for which the carrier is meant. Such carriers also do not have means for securely attaching the bottle to a bag or belt during active movement.

Moreover, convention carriers are incapable of regulating and/or maintaining the temperature for an extended period of time of the bottle retained therein. In addition, conventional carriers are incapable of protecting and/or otherwise cushioning a bottle against impact.

Therefore, a need exists for a bottle tote having a means for securely attaching to the clothing or bag of a user, thereby allowing the user to undertake vigorous activity. A need also exists for a bottle tote that has a means for securely holding a wide mouth or other large size bottle in place during activity. A need further exists for a light weight bottle tote that maintains the temperature of the beverage contained within the bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle tote having a means for securely attaching to the clothing or bag of a user, thereby allowing the user to undertake vigorous activity.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bottle tote that has a means for securely holding a wide mouth or other bottle in place during activity.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tough yet light weight bottle tote that maintains the temperature of the beverage contained within the bottle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bottle tote that is flexible and collapsible for compact storage.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a tote for carrying and transporting a bottle or bottles comprising a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the top terminal edge defining a strap, the front and rear panels defining an opening therebetween; a connector disposed on said strap for attaching said strap to said front panel, the strap securing said bottle in said tote, and a grip disposed on said rear panel, wherein the rear panel is secured to the front panel along at least the right side, the left side and the bottom terminal edges, wherein at least one of the front and rear panels is fabricated from an elastic, insulative, impact absorbent material, and wherein the tote is foldable to a substantially flattened condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottle tote according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of bottle tote of FIG. 1, with the strap in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, opposite the view of FIG. 2, of the bottle tote according to the present invention, with the strap in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the bottle tote according to the present invention in the extended position;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of bottle tote of FIG. 1 with the strap in the open position; and

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the bottle tote according to the present invention in the collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is illustrated a bottle tote according to the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 100. Tote 100 has a front panel 102 and a rear panel 104 operatively secured to one another along a number of sides thereof forming a contact line 110. Referring now to FIG. 2, front panel 102 has a right side edge 102 a, a left side edge 102 b, a bottom edge 102 c, and a top edge 102 d. Referring to FIG. 3, rear panel 104 has a right side edge 104 a, a left side edge 104 b, a bottom edge 104 c, and a top terminal edge defining a strap 104 d.

Referring again to FIG. 2, front panel 102 and rear panel 104 together define a pocket or opening 106 therebetween. Opening 106 is preferably sized to fit bottles of varying sizes as well as varying shapes. For example, bottles having uniform and/or non-uniform diameters along the length thereof, bottles of various diameters and non-circular bottles. Preferably, opening 106 is sized to fit a wide rimmed bottle such as a 32 ounce wide mouth Nalgene® bottle, a large size sports drink or any other commercially available sports drink and bottled water.

Preferably, front panel 102 is secured to rear panel 104 along at least three side edges thereof, namely, right side edge 102 a, 104 a, left side edge 102 b, 104 b, and bottom edge 102 c, 104 c. Front panel 102 is preferably secured to rear panel 104 by stitching along right side edges 102 a, 104 a, left side edges 102 b, 104 b and bottom edges 102 c, 104 c. While stitching is preferred, it is envisioned that front panel 102 can be secured to rear panel 104 by adhering, welding, stapling and the like. Top edges 102 d, 104 d define opening 106 in tote 100. As illustrated in FIG. 4, front panel 102 and rear panel 104 are secured (e.g., stitched, glued, welded, etc.) to one another along contact line 110 located between right side edges 102 a, 104 b and left side edges 102 b, 104 a (not shown).

Rear panel 104 defines strap 104 d. As shown in FIG. 5, strap 104 d has a connector 112 disposed thereon for securing strap 104 d to front panel 102, thereby securing a bottle (not shown) within opening 106 during rigorous movement or activity. It is also conceivable that strap 104 d may be a separate component that is attached to rear panel 104. Strap 104 d and connector 112 also serve to securely attach bottle tote 100 to the clothing or accessory of the user during rigorous movement or activity. Conceivable clothing or accessories may include a belt or bag. Connector 112 may be any type closure known in the art for providing a sturdy connection. Non-limiting examples of such closures include Velcro, snap, loop and zipper closures. Preferably, connector 112 is a system employing more than one such closure. More preferably, connector 112 is a Lamprey™ system having a Velcro closure 112 a and snap closure 112 b. Velcro closure 112 a of connector 112 has a male part 112 a disposed on strap 104 d and a female part 112 a′ disposed on front panel 102. Snap component 112 b of connector 112 has a male part 112 b disposed on strap 104 d and a female part 112 b'disposed on front panel 102. As illustrated, Velcro closure 112 a preferably surrounds snap closure 112 b, however, any suitable configuration for achieving a strong closure may be employed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, bottle tote 100 also has a grip 108 disposed on rear panel 104. Grip 108 may be used for ergonomic grasping of bottle tote 100. Grip 108 may also be employed as an alternate means for securely attaching bottle tote 100 to the clothing or accessory of the user during rigorous movement or activity. Grip 108 is preferably secured to rear panel 104 by stitching. While stitching is preferred, it is envisioned that front grip 108 can be secured to rear panel 104 by adhering, welding, stapling and the like. Alternately, grip 108 may be formed integrally with rear panel 104. Grip 108 is preferably fabricated from a neoprene rubber material, thereby providing a degree of comfort for the carrier. However, grip 108 may be formed from any material capable of providing a durable gripping means such as rubberized or non-slip materials. Grip 108 may further be reinforced with plastic, rubber or other supportive material.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, bottom edges 102 c, 104 c of front and rear panels 102, 104 further define a lobe or gusset 114 as an additional panel member or as an extension of either of the front or rear panels 102, 104. Those of skill in the art of consumer fabrication will readily recognize that pattern cutting may be adapted to employ lobe or gusset 114 as a member continuing from one of the front or rear panels or as a separate panel. As an additional consideration, those of skill in the art will recognize that the entire length (front panel, lobe, and back panel) may be cut from one continuous sheet of material to further speed manufacturer. In the embodiment shown, lobe or gusset 114 is foldable relative to the side seams and enables tote 100 to store in a flattened position when not in use and to stand upright when a bottle is fully inserted therein. FIG. 1 illustrates bottle tote 100 in an extended position, wherein tote 100 may substantially conform to the shape and/or outer contour of a bottle “B” placed and/or inserted into opening 106, thereby forming lobe or gusset 114. Where lobe 114 is merely an extension of front and rear panels no stitch line may be provided as in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6; however, where lobe or gusset 114 are a separate panel stitch lines or other joining methods are required to secure the same.

FIG. 6 illustrates tote 100 in a collapsed position, wherein tote 100 is substantially flat, i.e., front panel 102 is at least substantially in contact with rear panel 104. In this manner, when tote 100 is not in use, tote 100 can advantageously be stored in a substantially flat configuration, rolled-up, or otherwise manipulated as needed.

Each panel 102, 104 of tote 100 is preferably fabricated from neoprene rubber, more preferably, neoprene rubber having stretch nylon (or any other suitable textile product-natural or man-made) laminated to the front and back thereof to provide additional abrasion resistance. Thus, while the present construction is preferred, it should be understood by those of skill in the art that there is no requirement for the use of an external textile protective or supportive member. In a similar sense, those of skill in the art will recognize that alternative elastomeric materials may be substituted for the neoprene discussed above. For example, in alternative embodiments, neoprene may be replaced by SBR (Styrene Butadine Rubber) which may be employed with a similar result. Each panel 102, 104 preferably has a thickness of between about 3 mm to about 5 mm. The neoprene rubber material acts as a shock absorber to dissipate and/or otherwise absorb forces which may impact on tote 100. Fabrication of tote 100 from neoprene rubber material allows for tote 100 to be fabricated with no moving parts or separate parts/hardware and yet at the same time substantially grip the bottle retained therein. Since the neoprene rubber material has a degree of resiliency, tote 100 can accommodate receipt of and retention of bottles of varying sizes (e.g., bottles having uniform and/or non-uniform diameters along the length thereof, bottles of various diameters and non-circular bottles). The neoprene rubber material also provides tote 100 with a degree of insulation greater that a tote fabricated from paper or the like and thereby allows tote 100 to better maintain the temperature of the bottle retained therein.

Since tote 100 is preferably fabricated from neoprene and has a degree of elasticity, tote 100 substantially conforms to the contour and/or shape of a bottle and effectively grips a bottle, thereby effectively reducing the tendency for a bottle to “slip out off” opening 106. In addition, the neoprene provides tote 100 with a degree of cushion for absorbing impact and shock which would otherwise be transmitted to a bottle.

It is envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure that bottle tote 100 may have two or more openings 106 for holding beverages having he same or different dimensions from one another. In this embodiment, bottle tote 100 has one or more straps 104 b and one or more connectors 112. The present invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions and examples are only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A tote for carrying and transporting a bottle or bottles comprising: a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the top terminal edge defining a strap, the front and rear panels defining an opening therebetween; a connector disposed on said strap for attaching said strap to said front panel, the strap securing said bottle in said tote, and a grip disposed on said rear panel, wherein the rear panel is secured to the front panel along at least the right side, the left side and the bottom terminal edges, and wherein at least one of the front and rear panels is fabricated from an elastic, insulative, impact absorbent material.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said connector removably attaches said strap to said front panel.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said connector is a strong connecter of the type selected from the group consisting of Velcro, snap, loop and zipper closures.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said connector is sufficiently strong to maintain a sound closure during rigorous movement.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said connector is a Lamprey™ system connector having a Velcro closure and a snap closure.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein said grip is attached to said rear panel by any means known in the art such as sewing, gluing, adhering, welding, stapling and the like.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein said grip is formed of the same material as the front and rear panels.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein said grip is formed integrally with said rear panel.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said opening is sized to house a wide mouth bottle.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said opening is sized to house a commercially available sports drink.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein said opening is sized to house a commercially available water bottle.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein said front and rear panels are formed of a thermal material.
 13. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels are fabricated from an elastomeric material.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said front and rear panels are formed of at least one of neoprene and SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber).
 15. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels have a thickness of between about 3 mm to about 5 mm.
 16. The tote according to claim 14, wherein the neoprene is sandwiched between layers of stretch nylon.
 17. The tote according to claim 1, wherein the front and rear panels are secured to one another by at least one of stitching, adhering, welding, and stapling.
 18. A tote for carrying and transporting a bottle or bottles comprising: a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the top terminal edge defining at least one strap, the front and rear panels defining a plurality of openings therebetween; at least one connector disposed on said strap for attaching said strap to said front panel, the strap securing said bottle in said tote, and at least one attachment means disposed on said rear panel, wherein the rear panel is secured to the front panel along at least the right side, the left side, and the bottom terminal edges, wherein at least one of the front and rear panels is fabricated from an elastic, insulative, impact absorbent material, and wherein the tote is foldable to a substantially flattened condition.
 19. A tote for carrying and transporting a bottle or bottles comprising: a front panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge; a rear panel defining a right side, a left side, a bottom, and a top terminal edge, the top terminal edge defining a strap, the front and rear panels defining an opening therebetween; a connector disposed on said strap for attaching said strap to said front panel, said connector having a Velcro closure and a snap closure, and a grip disposed on said rear panel, wherein the rear panel is secured to the front panel along at least the right side and the left side; at least one gusset panel, said gusset panel member joining the front panel and the rear panel proximate respective bottom terminal edges, wherein at least one of the front and rear panels is fabricated from an elastic, insulative, impact absorbent material, and wherein the tote is foldable to a substantially flattened condition.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein said front and rear panels are formed of an elastomeric material. 